Directing Indie Film: Lessons from Working with Inexperienced Actors

Directing an indie film often means working with the resources—and people—you already have. In Episode 26 of Indie Film Podcast, hosts Chuck and Victoria share their real-world experience directing actors with little to no formal training, and what that means for performance, editing, and the final product.

Who’s Really Responsible for a Bad Performance?

Is it the actor who delivers a flat or over-the-top performance—or the director who failed to guide them? Chuck and Victoria explore this gray area, landing on a central truth: the director has the ultimate responsibility for shaping performances, especially when the cast lacks experience.

They also touch on how writing and editing play supporting (and sometimes rescuing) roles in this dynamic.

Casting Friends: Shortcut or Setback?

Most indie filmmakers will cast friends at some point, whether out of necessity or comfort. But is it smart?

• Pro: Friends are reliable, passionate, and often willing to work for free.

• Con: They may lack training, confidence, or presence on camera.

The duo shares examples from past films, weighing how much fun they had versus the performance challenges they faced—and where those two things sometimes aligned beautifully.

Directing Indie Film Tips: Overacting vs. Flat Performances

One of the episode’s biggest debates: what’s worse—a performance that’s too big or one that’s barely there?

Victoria argues that over-the-top acting can always be toned down in post or through direction, but a flat, lifeless performance is hard to energize. Chuck agrees (reluctantly), referencing the classic Nic Cage school of “go big or go home.”

Can You Fix It in Post?

Yes—and no. They agree that a skilled editor can dramatically reshape a performance:

• Cutting away to reactions

• Trimming dead air or robotic delivery

• Emphasizing moments with pacing and music

But if the raw material isn’t emotionally grounded, there’s only so much an edit can do.

Rehearsal, Memorization, and Method

The episode also covers rehearsal philosophy, quoting Walton Goggins’ idea of reading a script 250 times to make the lines unconscious. The hosts note that inexperienced actors often think they know their lines—but they don’t yet know them deeply enough to be present in a scene.

They also reference the Meisner method, discussing how delivery and emotional presence matter more than the literal words on the page.

Final Takeaway

Directing an indie film with inexperienced actors is risky—but not impossible. With:

• Solid preparation

• Willingness to rehearse

• Clear, honest direction

• And a strong editor in post

...you can absolutely create compelling performances, even with limited resources.

But don’t skip the hard conversations. If the performance isn’t landing, it’s not about blame—it’s about figuring out how to fix it, together.

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